Colorado Deer Season 2026-27
Firearm deer season runs Oct 14-18, 2026 (West of I-25 and GMU 140). Every listed deer season for Colorado is below, with zones and notes where the agency gives them.
Quick answer
Colorado's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 14-18, 2026 (West of I-25 and GMU 140).
Archery deer season runs Sep 2-30, 2026 (West of I-25 and GMU 140).
Private Land Only (PLO) Deer (Private Land Only) runs Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Deer
14 listed rowsDeer
Private Land Only (PLO)
PLO deer seasons lie within these dates; licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: Private Land Only
Deer
Rifle - Second Regular Combined
All deer licenses are limited.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Rifle - Plains Regular
All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Archery - Plains
2026: 10/01 - 10/23 and 11/04 - 11/30 and 12/15 - 12/31, OR 10/01 - 10/23 and 11/04 - 12/31, OR 10/01 - 11/30 and 12/15 - 12/31. Archery closes during plains rifle seasons in GMUs where they occur.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Third Regular Combined
All deer licenses limited.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer)
Deer and elk combined season, but deer hunting is optional. All licenses limited.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Rifle - Late Plains
All licenses limited.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Archery - Plains
2026: 10/01 - 10/23 and 11/04 - 11/30 and 12/15 - 12/31, OR 10/01 - 10/23 and 11/04 - 12/31, OR 10/01 - 11/30 and 12/15 - 12/31. Archery closes during plains rifle seasons in GMUs where they occur.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer)
Deer and elk combined season, but deer hunting is optional. All optional deer licenses are limited.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer - High Country
Rifle - High Country
Limited 9-day antlered deer season.
Zone: High Country/Wilderness portions of select deer units
Deer - Plains
Archery - Plains
2026: 10/01 - 10/23 and 11/04 - 11/30 and 12/15 - 12/31, OR 10/01 - 10/23 and 11/04 - 12/31, OR 10/01 - 11/30 and 12/15 - 12/31. Archery closes during plains rifle seasons in GMUs where they occur.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Muzzleloader - Plains
All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Deer (Mule/Whitetail)Archery - West of I-25 and GMU 140 · West of I-25 and GMU 140All archery deer licenses are limited either-sex or limited buck and issued by GMU/DAU. | Closed | |
| Deer (Mule/Whitetail)Muzzleloader - West of I-25 and GMU 140 · West of I-25 and GMU 140Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless in some GMUs. | Closed |
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Nearby deer seasons
Colorado Deer Season FAQ
When does deer season open in Colorado?
Firearm deer season runs Oct 14-18, 2026 (West of I-25 and GMU 140). The earliest listed deer season of any kind is private land only (plo) deer, opening August 15, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
What are the 2026-27 deer season dates in Colorado?
Colorado lists 14 deer season windows: Private Land Only (PLO) Deer (Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027); Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer) Deer (Oct 14-18, 2026); Rifle - Second Regular Combined Deer (Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026); Rifle - Third Regular Combined Deer (Nov 7-15, 2026); Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer) Deer (Nov 18-22, 2026); Rifle - High Country Deer - High Country (Sep 12-20, 2026); Archery - Plains Deer - Plains (Oct 1-23, 2026); Muzzleloader - Plains Deer - Plains (Oct 10-18, 2026); and more. Always verify against Colorado Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
Are there different deer seasons in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado lists separate deer seasons for Private Land Only (PLO) Deer, Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer) Deer, Rifle - Second Regular Combined Deer, Rifle - Third Regular Combined Deer, Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer) Deer, Rifle - High Country Deer - High Country. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Do I need a license to hunt deer in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and deer hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.